Trans and Gender Variance

Working Alongside Trans and Gender Variant People

We believe that people should not be constrained by limited expectations and perceptions of gender and that diverse gender expressions are to be encouraged and valued. We know that the recognition of one’s transgender or gender variance may bring problems of identity and for one’s place in the family and larger society. Our gender identity is generally assumed, by a hetronormative society, to be a binary of either woman or man. However, when we investigate who we are things can become much more complex. Overall there is a gender continuum, which we may move around on over the course of our lives. It should be possible and it is desirable, that we are able to negotiate and perform our own construction of gender.

Common feelings expressed in therapy:

Shame related to gender dysphoria

Dislike of the body

Confusion over sex role behaviour which can complicate sexual feelings and relational intimacy

Fear of being rejected, abused or bullied for ‘perversion’

Loneliness and isolation

Depression

‘Medicating’ through sexual addiction

Evidence shows that cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an effective therapy for a range of depression and anxiety disorders and is supported by a strong evidence base (Hofmann et al., 2012).

We work with you to:

Open up your concerns and questions – opening a space to talk about gender

Develop comfort to identify yourself in your way – with your chosen pronoun

Explore what is comfortable for you at the present moment – categories of gender and exploring new language to create new realities